Atkinson, David (2006) A Relativistic Zeno Effect. [Preprint]

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Abstract

A Zenonian supertask involving an infinite number of identical colliding balls is generalized to include balls with different masses. Under the restriction that the total mass of all the balls is finite, classical mechanics leads to velocities that have no upper limit. Relativistic mechanics results in velocities bounded by that of light, but energy and momentum are not conserved, implying indeterminism. By entertaining the possibility that the missing energy and momentum are carried away by a photon, however, one can restore the conservation laws and determinism.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Atkinson, David
Keywords:	Supertasks, Zeno effect
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Depositing User:	David Atkinson
Date Deposited:	26 Mar 2006
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:13
Item ID:	2613
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Date:	March 2006
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2613

Available Versions of this Item

• A Relativistic Zeno Effect. (deposited 09 Aug 2006)
  • A Relativistic Zeno Effect. (deposited 26 Mar 2006) [Currently Displayed]

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